Combination lock with electrical switch control



June 4, 1935. G. T. HOSKING 2,003,650 I COMBINATION LOCK WITH ELECTRICALSWITCH CONTROL Filed April 18, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet l 1 0 umlmmu June 41935. HOSKlNG 2,003,650

COMBIN ATION LOCK WITH ELECTRICAL SWITCH CONTROL FiledApril 18, 1933 2Sheets-5mm, 2

Patented June 4, 1935 UNiTED STATES PATIENT OFFICE,

COMBINATION LOOK WITH ELECTRICAL S'WITCH CONTROL George T. Hosking,Somcrville, Mass., assignor of one-fourth to Thomas G. Phillips,Somerville, Mass, and one-fourth to Gomer R. Lewis, Waterbury, Conn.

Application April 18, 1933, Serial No. 666,752 Claims. (01. -53) Thisinvention is a lock of the type in which the nections between the sameand the movableelelocking functions of a latch or other movable ment ofan electric switch. Figure '7 is a detail member are controlled byrotatable tumbler discs plan view illustrating the movable and fixedcone or similar elements, arranged to be adjusted to tacts of theswitch. 7 L p 5 predetermined relative positions. Referring to thedrawings, A designates a cas- 5 7 One of the objects of the invention isto provide ing which may be of any desired construction, but a simplyconstructed combination lock, including as illustrated in the drawingsis shown of rectanaplurality of associated recessed discs cooperatinggular form. Located within said casing are with a slide bar havingmembers complemental three circular tumbler discs at, through each 10 tothe recesses in the discs, and actuating means of which is looselypassed a vertical shaft [0 which 10 for the slide-bar, the whole soconstructed and is arranged for axial and rotative movement in arrangedthat movement of the slide-bar is norsuitable hearings in the top andbottom, respecmally prevented until the recesses have been tively of thecasing A, said shafts serving to removed to predetermined relative andcooperative tain the tumbler disks in place. Each tumbler positions.A'further object is to provide a lock of disc is provided with a singleradially disposed lo the character described, in whichthe'predeterperipheral recess H, and is also provided with minedpositions of the discs are controlled by disa circular series ofperforations l2 arranged in connectibleshafts,andsimplemeansforquicklyand a circle concentric with itsrespective shaft l0. effectively adjusting said shafts with respect toEach of sa d s afts is p vid d with a fix d flan their discs, so as toalter the combinations which l3 having depending, diametrically oppositepins 20 regulate the degree of rotation of each disc necesl4 positionedto enter the perforations I2 of its saryto bring the recesses in thediscs, to the pretumbler disc. At the upper end of each shaft determinedpositions above referred to. A further I!) is a pointer l5, each fixedlysecured to its shaft object is to provide a lock structure of the typeand movable over a stationary scale, preferably above mentioned,provided with means for prein the form of a fixed circulardisc IT on the25 venting the changing of the relations of the discover of easing A,each of saidrdiscs having a se-, connectible shafts and their discswhile the slideries of numbers corresponding to the positions bar is ina predetermined or locked position. A and numbers of perforations l2 inthe tumbler further object is to provide a combination lock of discs a,b, or c. Interposed between the flanges the character mentioned, soconstructed and ar- 13 and the top of the casing A are springs I8, 30ranged as to control one or more electric circuits, which normally reactagainst the flanges to press such for instance as the operating circuitsof the the shafts l0 downwardly, in an axial direction type commonlyinstalled on standard motor veso as to yieldably hold the pins M inengagement hicles. A further object is to provide a circuit withthe'perforations l2. 7 v

control lock, so constructed and arranged that The tumbler ,discs'a, band c, and their shafts 35 short-circuiting of the standard typeignition 10 are enclosed within a rectangular slide-bar switch, so as toaccomplish surreptitious and un- IQ of skeleton form, the ends of saidbar being authorized operation of the vehicle will be unaslidablymounted beneath fixed keepers 20; a

vailing. spring 2| serving to normally force said-slide-bar 40 Theinvention will be hereinafter fully set forth to a predetermined forwardor unlocked posi- 40 and particularly pointed out in the claims. tion,as viewed in the drawings. One of the sides In the accompanyingdrawings:-- of said slide-bar is provided with fingers 22, which.

Figure l is atop plan view'illustrating a lock of project diametricallytoward the opposite side, the character described, the top of the casingand are located in a plane to overlie the respecbeing broken away.Figure2 is atransverse'vertitive flanges 13 on the shafts III, while theslide- 45 cal section on the line 22 of Fig. 1. Figure 3 is bar is inthe forward position under the tension a horizontal section with theoperating shafts reof the spring 2|. The opposite side member of moved,and showing the lock applied to a standard the slide-bar is providedwith lugs 23, which protype motor vehicle operating circuit. Figure 4 isa ject diametrically toward the first mentioned side,

similar view showing the lock adapted for locking and are complementalto the recesses H in the 50 the cover of a box or similar object. Figure5 is a respective tumbler discs. It will be noted that the detailperspective view illustrating one of the op fingers 22 are parallel witheach other in the same crating shafts for the discs. Figure 6 is avertical plane and that the lugs 23 are also parallelwith sectional viewillustrating the details of the 039- each other in a common plane, butthat the group crating cam for the lock slide-bar and the conof fingers22' and the group of fingers 23 are in different planes. Also, that inFigure 3 that por tion of the side member of the slide-bar which carrieslugs 23 is offset, as indicated at 24, and provided with a slight recess25 for a purpose to be later described. Thisoifset arrangement isdesirable where the middle disc is set back in order to conserve spacebut the invention is not limited in this particular. In the formillustrated in Figure 4, a post 26 is secured to said side member formanual movement of the slide-bar against the tension of the spring 21;said post having a lug 21 positioned to fit within a slot or beneath 2.lug to prevent raising of the cover of the easing A.

In practice, the shafts ID are moved axially against the tension oftheir springs 18, and then rotated so as to bring the pins Hi on theflanges l3 into engagement with any pre-selected holes l2. Thisadjustment moves the pointers I5 to numbers on the scale l5corresponding to the positions ofthe holes engaged by said pins. Inorder to bring the recesses H of the tumbler discs to positions to beengaged by the lugs 23, it is obviously necessary to bring the pointersto those pre-selected key numbers of the scales I1. As soon as thediscshave been so adjusted as to bring all of the recesses ll opposite thelugs 23, the slide-bar may be moved backwardly against the tension ofthe spring 2i, said recesses providing clearance for'this movement.While the slide bar is held rearwardly against the tension of saidspring, it is possible to lift the shafts l0 and to change the rotativepositions thereof with respect to the tumbler discs, if so desired, butit will be observed that it will be impossible to make any suchadjustment while the slide-bar is moved to its forward position underthe tension of spring 2 I, because the fingers 22 will overlie theflanges l3 and prevent such axial movement of the shafts as will effectdisengagement of said flanges and said tumbler discs.

In the structure illustrated in Figure 4, rearward movement of theslide-bar with the post 26, disengages the lug 21 from its complementalmember. Just as soon as any or all of the tumbler discs are rotated,while the slide-bar is in its forward position under the tension ofspring 2|, rearward movement of the slide-bar is prevented by reason ofthe lugs 23 engaging the peripheries of the tumbler discs, and'the partsare understood that the working parts are normally hidden from view by acover of opaque material, through which the shafts I0 extend. and on thetop of which the scales l3 are placed in such a manner that the pointersl5 may move thereover.

The invention herein described is particularly adapted for use inlooking electrical switches against tampering, and particularly forlocking a master switch controlling the wiring systems of standard typeautomobiles. In this connection attention is invited to Figures 6 and 7,in which a master switch S is mounted in a casing 30 of suitabledielectric material, said casing being formed in two parts, which arenormally held in abutted relation by suitable bolts in a manner wellunderstood in the switch art. Extending from the top of the switchcasing is a sleeve 3|, in which is rotatably mounted a cam shaft 32,provided at its upper end with an enlargement or. head 33 in which issecured an operating handle 34. To the'lower end of the shaft 32 issecured a radially disposed cam arm 35, the outer end of which extendsthrough a slot in the casing, at a position to engage the offsetportions 24 of the slide-bar IS. The end of said cam arm is providedwith a point 36 so as to engage the recess 25, and a suitable springwasher 31 is provided to maintain a tension on the shaft.

In the lower part of the casing 30 is mounted a stud 38 in axialalignment with the cam shaft 32, the lower side of said stud beingconnected in suitable manner to 'one or more cables or con ductors 39leading to the starting motor, ignition, etc. (not shown) which normallycontrol the starting and operation of the motor vehicle engine.Pivotally mounted on the stud 38 is a movable switch arm 40,complemental to a fixed contact 4!, which leads from a suitable sourceof electrical energy, such as a storage battery (not shown). The fixedcontact 4| is so positioned that it lies in the path of movement of theswitch arm 30, said switch arm and said cam arm being connected by acoil spring 42. In operation with the parts in locked position, theouter end of the cam arm 35 rests against the face of the offset 24, sothat it cannot be moved until the slide-bar is released. In moving thecam member manually to this position by means of handle 34, the pullupon spring 42 will move the switch arm 40 out of engagement with itsfixed contact. While the parts are in such positions,

therefore, it is impossible to move the cam arm to a position to bringthe switch contacts into engagement, because the locking lugs 23 areengaged with the peripheries of the tumbler discs.

The arrangement of the spring 42 is such that as the cam arm is moved bymanual rotation of the shaft 32, said spring moves to one side or theother of the dead center and exerts a pull on the movable contact 40which results in a snap action. In order to close the switch it is firstnecessary to manipulate the tumbler discs a, b and c, to bring therecesses H in positions to receive the lugs 23, and thereby permitrearward movement of the slide-bar against the tension of its spring.This rearward movement is accomplished by manually rotating the camshaft 32 in a direction to bring the end of the cam against the offsetportion 24, the effect ofwhich engagement is to impart a forced rearwardmovement to the slide-bar, and as the free end of the cam arm moves thespring 42 across the dead center, the switch arm 40 is snapped intoengagement with its fixed contact. While the switch is in circuit closedposition the tumbler discs are not disturbed, and therefore the lugs 23and. recesses II are always so positioned that free movement of the camshaft is permitted. To break the circuit and lock the switch, it is onlynecessary to rotate the cam shaft so as to move the switch arm 39 out;of engagement with the fixed contact. Just as soon as the cam armreaches a position which will accomplish this adjustment, the spring 2iwill move the slidebar forwardly, after which the discs may be rotatedby means of the shafts l0, thereby moving the recesses to positionswhich will bring the peripheries of the discs into engagement with thelugs on the slide-bar. are positively locked until the tumbler discs areagain rotated to the predetermined positions for which they are set.

By placing the standard type ignition switch I of the motor vehiclebetween the fixed contact at and the circuits (not shown) normallycontrolled by said ignition switch, it is obvious that a mere In thismanner the parts:

short circuiting of the ignition switch, which is a common method ofsurreptitiously starting a motor vehicle, will be unavailing, becausethe line will be dead betweenthe ignition switch and the fixed contactll. For purposes of parking lights and dash lights, a line 43 may betaken from the fixed contact 4! to a parking light switch P and a dashlight switch S, which will be available at all times. With theconstruction shown, it would be obviously impossible to short circuitthe system while the main switch S is in open circuit position, becauseany one attempting to do this would be obliged to make a complete wiringback to the battery; otherwise the generator output would blow everylight. The details of the electric system of a motor vehicle are notshown or described, because they are so-fully and well understood in theart that no difficulty should be experienced by one skilled in the artin connecting the master switch above described, to such a system.

The advantages of the invention will be readily understood by thoseskilled in the art to which it belongs. For instance, it will beapparent that a very simple and eifective form of locking means isprovided, which will normally prevent unlocking movement of theslide-bar by any person not familiar with the figures or combination towhich the different tumbler discs are set, in order to bring theirrecesses in parallel predetermined position. A further and importantadvantage is that it is impossible in the structure shown, to change thecombination while the parts are in locked position, because theslide-bar is provided with means for engaging the flanges on the discshafts, in a manner to prevent any such movement until the slide-bar hasbeen moved to unlocking position. Thus, it will be seen that theslide-bar not only looks the device which is intended to be held againstoperation, but also looks the device against any unauthorized change inadjustment. A further advantage is that a very simple and inexpensivemaster-switch-control is provided for electric circuits, and whichpossesses peculiar and especial advantage in connection with theoperating circuits of a standard motor vehicle.

Having thus explained the nature of the invention and described anoperative manner of constructing and using the same, although withoutattempting to set forth all of the forms in which it may be made, or allof the forms of its use, what is claimed is:

l. A lock of the character described comprising a plurality ofrelatively spaced tumbler disks each having a peripheral openingtherein, a plurality of axially and rotatably adjustable'shafts, one foreach tumbler disk, each shaft being extended loosely through its tumblerdisk in such manner as to retain the disk in position, a control diskfixed to each shaft at a position to overhang the tumbler disk of saidshaft, the control disk and the adjacent tumbler disk of each shafthaving complemental interlocking means so constructed and arranged thatthe disks may be engaged and disengaged by axial movements imparted tothe shaft, a slide bar having lugs complemental to the peripheralrecesses of said tumbler disks, a spring yieldably holding said slidebar in such position that said lugs and said disks are normallydisengaged, and means constructed and arranged to impart slidablemovement to said slide bar against the tension of said spring, saidslide bar also having means constructed and arranged to overlie saidcontrol disks in such manner as to prevent axial movement of the shaftswhile said lugs are disengaged from said recesses.

2. A look of the character described comprising a slide bar havingrelatively spaced side members, a plurality of relatively spaced tumblerdisks located between said side members and each having a peripheralopening therein, a plurality of axially and rotatably adjustable shaftsalso located between the side members of the slide bar, therebeing oneshaft for each tumbler disk, each shaft being extended loosely throughits tumbler disk in such manner as to retain the disks in position, acontrol disk fixed to each shaft at a position to overhang the tumblerdisk of said shaft, the control disk and the adjacent tumbler disk ofeach shaft having complemental interlocking means so constructed andarranged that the disks may be engaged and disengaged by axial movements imparted to the shaft, lugs projecting from one of said sidemembers in such manner as to engage the respective peripheral recessesof the tumbler disks, fingers projecting from the opposite side memberin such manner as to overlie the controldisks and prevent'axial movementof the shafts while said lugs are disengaged from said disks, a springnormally acting to maintain the slide bar in such position as todisengage the lugs from said tumbler disks, and means for moving theslide bar against the tension of said spring.

3. A look of the character described comprising a rectangular slide barof skeleton form having oppositely disposed side members connected byend members, means for slidably anchoring the end members of said slidebar, a plurality of relatively spaced tumbler disks enclosed by saidslide bar, each of said disks having a peripheral opening therein, aplurality of axially and rotatably adjustable shafts located within thespace surrounded by said slide bar, there being one shaft for eachtumbler disk, each shaft being extended loosely through its tumbler diskin such manner as to retain the disk in position, a control disk fixedto each shaft at a position to overhang the tumbler disk of said shaft,the control disk and the adjacent tumbler disk of each shaft havingcomplemental interlocking means so constructed and arranged that thedisks may be engaged and disengaged by axial movements imparted to theshaft, lugs projecting from one of said side members in such manner asto engage the respective peripheral recesses of the tumbler disks,fingers projecting from the opposite side member in such manner as tooverlie the control disks and prevent axial movement of the shafts whilesaid lugs are disengaged from said disks, a spring normally acting tomaintain the slide bar in such position as to disengage the lugs fromsaid tumbler disks, and means for moving the slide bar against thetension .of said spring.

4. A look of the character described comprising a slide bar of skeletonformation having oppositely disposed side members, one of said sidemembers being inwardly oifset, a plurality of relatively spaced tumblerdisks located in the space between said side members, and each having aperipheral opening therein, a plurality of axially and rotatablyadjustable shafts also located in the space between said side members,there being one shaft for each tumbler disk, each shaft being extendedloosely through its tumbler disk in such manner as to retain the disk inposition, a control disk fixed to each shaft at a position adjacent tothe tumbler disks of said shaft, one of said disks having aninterlocking member of sufficient length to span the space between thedisks, the other disk having complemental portions engageable with saidinterlocking member in such manner that the disks on each shaft aredirectly engageable and disengageable by axial movements imparted to theshaft, lugs projecting from one of said side members in such manner asto engage the respective peripheral recesses of the tumbler disks,fingers projecting from the opposite side member in such manner as tooverlie the control disks and prevent axial movement of the shafts whilesaid lugs are disengaged from said disks, a spring normally acting tomaintain the slidebar in such position as to disengage the lugs fromsaid tumbler disks, and a rotatively mounted arm having an end portionengageable withthe offset portion of the slide bar in such manner thatrotative movements of the arm will impart s1idable movement to saidslide bar. V

5. A lock of the character described comprising a plurality ofrelatively spaced tumbler disks each having a peripheral openingtherein, a plurality of axially and rotatably adjustable shafts, one foreach tumbler disk, each shaft being extended loosely through the tumblerdisk in such manner as to retain the disks in position, a control diskfixed to each shaft at a position adjacent to the tumbler disks of saidshaft, one of said disks having an interlocking member of sufficientlength to span the space between the disks, the other disks havingcomplemental portions engageable with said interlocking member in suchmanner that the disks on each shaft are directly engageable anddisengageable by axial movements imparted to the shaft, a slide barhaving lugs complemental to the peripheral recesses of said tumblerdisks, a spring yieldably holding said slide bar in such position thatsaid lugs and said disks are normally disengaged, and means constructedand arranged to impart slidable movement to said slide bar against thetension of said spring, said slide bar also having means constructed andarranged to overlie said control disks in such manner as to preventaxial movement of the shafts while said lugs are disengaged from saidrecesses.

GEORGE T. I-IOSKING.

